The outlook for the A’s starting staff is not good as the end of Spring Training nears. On Tuesday afternoon, General Manager Billy Beane told a group of A’s beat writers that only Dallas Braden has earned a spot in the starting rotation. Justin Duchscherer has a spot waiting when he is healthy and the A’s are hopeful Duke will be able to pitch the 5th game of the season.
That leaves 3 spots open with the contenders being: Dana Eveland, Sean Gallagher, Josh Outman, Edgar Gonzalez and the two youngsters, Brett Anderson & Trevor Cahill. Eveland and Gonzalez were both hammered on Sunday by the White Sox, leaving the A’s brass less than pleased. Josh Outman started Tuesday night vs the Royals and was clobbered for 8 hits and 8 runs, allowing a grand slam to Mike Aviles. Outman had no control of his off-speed pitches and the Royal hitters just laid in wait for his fastball. But then Sean Gallagher strode to the hill with confidence and purpose and made his claim for a starter’s spot. 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and although he did give up a few hits was able to pitch out of any trouble. Gallagher, who came over from the Cubs last season in the Rich Harden trade, started 11 games for the A’s in 2008 and showed a lively fastball and a good cutter. With back-to-back solid outings now this spring, Gallagher seems assured of a place in the rotation.
Anderson and Cahill will start the next two games for the A’s and with positive showings by both, it is a strong possibility both could start the season in the A’s rotation. If that were to happen, it would be the first time since 1998 any team started the season with two rookie starting pitchers, with no prior Major League experience in their opening day starting rotation. Florida (Rafael Medina & Brian Meadows) and Montreal (Javier Vazquez & Trey Moore). The last A’s team with 2 untested starters was in 1991 with Kirk Dressendorfer and Joe Slusarski.
Topics: Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Edgar Gonzalez, Josh Outman, Sean Gallagher, Trevor Cahill
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